LG Jung blames Delhi govt for delay in Lokayukta appointment

New Delhi: Blaming Delhi government for delay in appointment of Lokayukta, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has written to the chief justice of Delhi high court that the post remains vacant despite repeated reminders.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung

The letter dated August 28 to Chief Justice G Rohini, states, “The appointment has been much delayed and this secretariat has reminded Delhi government on three occasions, the latest being on August 28.”

“The letter has been marked to joint secretary (UT) in ministry of home affairs. The post has been lying vacant since November 2013 even though it has to be filled up within six months,” said a source.

Leader of the Opposition in Delhi assembly, Vijender Gupta, had filed a plea in HC stating that the government has not consulted him regarding the appointment of Lokayukta. The matter will be heard on September 3.

Attacking the AAP government, Gupta said, “AAP fears that action will be taken against several of its MLAs and that is why the government is violating the law and deliberately stalling appointment. They are not consulting anybody. There are hundreds of cases pending in the Lokayukta office.”

Recently, TOI had reported that Chief Justice G Rohini returned the chief minister’s recommendation on the Lokayukta with an advice that the government should proceed “in accordance with provisions of the Delhi Lokayukta Act.” The Chief Justice had objected to the manner in which the government had initiated the proposal as it had recommended a name and requested her to take the process forward.

According to provisions of Delhi Lokayukta and Uplokayukta Act, 1995, only a person who was Chief Justice or a high court judge for seven years can be appointed to this post which probes graft allegations against public functionaries.

“The law department has to be involved in the process where an eligibility range has to be fixed first. The names go to a panel comprising Leader of the Opposition, LG and Chief Justice who zero in on a choice,” said a source.